A series of severe Kona low storms in March 2026 caused historic flooding across Hawaii, including Maui, with infrastructure repair costs exceeding $1 billion. A Columbia analysis finds the state systemically underprepared across infrastructure, insurance, and economic resilience.
- Maui was among the islands impacted by the March 2026 flooding, which was Hawaii’s worst since 2004.
- Statewide infrastructure damage exceeded $1 billion, with roughly 5,500 people under evacuation orders as of March 24.
- Hawaii’s tourism-dependent economy had already projected a loss of at least $600 million in visitor spending before the floods hit.
- Insurance premiums are rising sharply as carriers say historical data no longer reliably predicts future losses in Hawaii.
- Climate experts warn that heavy rainfall intensity and frequency are increasing, making events like this more likely to recur.
Source: Columbia
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